Is There a Shortcut to Getting BDR Ready? (The Answer is Yes)

It’s a feeling every adventure rider knows. You’re watching the opening credits of a Backcountry Discovery Route film—the epic scenery, the hum of knobby tires on gravel, the camaraderie around the campfire—and you think, “I want to do that.”

But then comes the reality check.

You start researching BDR preparation, and the gap between that dream and the dusty reality can feel a mile wide. The list of things you need to know, practice, and buy is overwhelming. The traditional path to getting ready is long, expensive, and filled with trial-and-error.

For most riders, it takes years of weekend trips and costly mistakes to build the necessary skills and confidence. But what if there was a better, more efficient way? What if there was a shortcut?

We believe there is. But it's not about skipping steps—it's about compressing years of learning into one transformative experience.

The "Long Road": Why Traditional BDR Prep is So Challenging

To understand the shortcut, you first have to appreciate the journey. Getting ready for your first Backcountry Discovery Route (BDR) isn't just about loading a GPS track. The BDR organization itself, the ultimate experts on the subject, is very clear about what it takes.

"A BDR is something a person should build up to and it shouldn’t be their first overnight trip on their ADV bike." - Backcountry Discovery Routes

 

"We view adventure riding as a sport, and any sport requires training before the big event." - Backcountry Discovery Routes

Here’s a look at the "long road" and its many complex challenges:

1. The Skills Gap: Earning Your Turns 

Riding a 500-pound motorcycle on pavement is one thing; navigating it through sand, rocks, and ruts is another entirely. The BDR organization states, “We always recommend taking an off-road riding course prior to riding a BDR.” But even that is just the beginning. As our lead instructor, Andrew Murray, explains, taking a training class the weekend before your trip is “too soon.” The skills you learn are fundamentals, and they require practice—lots of it—before they become second nature. The real challenge is finding the time and place to practice until those skills are reflexive and fun.

2. The Loaded Bike Problem: A Different Beast 

After training, you face a new reality: a bike loaded with 50+ pounds of gear is a completely different animal. Riders often overpack, and that weight adds up fast. Just choosing lightweight soft luggage over hard boxes can save 20 pounds instantly. Add in ultralight camping gear and sharing items like a single tool kit with your group, and the savings are massive. But figuring all that out on your own can be a costly and heavy process of trial-and-error.

3. The Human Factor: Aligning Your Group

 Beyond the bike and the gear is perhaps the most complex piece of the puzzle: the people you ride with. A disagreement over the route or pace can end a trip faster than a flat tire. Andrew emphasizes the importance of knowing your partners' skills and personalities before you're on the trail, recommending pre-trip Zoom calls to set ground rules and align on goals.

The Shortcut: Compressing the Timeline from Months to Days

So if that's the long road, what's the shortcut?

Introducing our newest program: an all-in-one, immersive experience designed to solve every one of these challenges systematically and efficiently. It's a course built to take you from aspiring to BDR capable in under a week.

We call it the Backcountry Training Expedition Coach and Camp, and it's specifically designed for the unique demands of loaded motorcycle expeditions and backcountry camping.

Why We Know This Approach Works

Our foundational ADV1 course has already helped hundreds of riders build confidence and skills on loose surfaces. Here's what recent graduates are saying:

"We encountered rain, and really high gusts of wind on our way home from Bend... But we noticed that we already felt like better and more confident riders on the trip home. This was a big step for us in making our BDR dreams come true!"

 

"Immediately after the course, we rode the entire NORCAL BDR, and the skills we learned were invaluable. Thank you!!!"

 

"Great experience! The training really helped in getting my 'mojo' back after a significant off-road accident I experienced last year."

 

Now, we're taking that proven training methodology and applying it specifically to the challenges of multi-day BDR expeditions.

This Isn't Just ADV Skills Training—It's Expedition Training

The key difference? You'll practice with full camping gear and supplies, learning the crucial distinction between day riding and multi-day self-supported adventures.

Here's how our Backcountry Training Expedition directly addresses each BDR challenge:

• The Challenge: Finding separate BDR training and time to practice afterward.

• The Shortcut: Our expedition begins with two full days of intensive ADV skills training, then immediately transitions into a 3-day ride where you practice and ingrain those skills under expert guidance—with a fully loaded bike.
  
  

• The Challenge: Guessing how your fully loaded bike will handle.

• The Shortcut: We teach you how to pack smart, then you spend three days riding your bike fully loaded on a real-world expedition through Nevada's backcountry. You don't just practice; you do it.
  
  

• The Challenge: Finding a compatible riding group and aligning on a plan.

• The Shortcut: You're part of a professional group with a common goal, coached by experts who will help you while you build skills. 

Whether you're eyeing the Washington BDR's mountain passes, the Utah BDR's desert canyons, or any other route that demands loaded, self-supported riding, this training builds the universal skills every BDR expedition requires.

Insider BDR Tips from Lead Instructor Andrew Murray

We recently sat down with Andrew to discuss the biggest lessons he's learned from years of riding BDRs. Our instructors have the experience not only to teach you how to ride off-pavement but also how to get ready for the FULL adventure. Here are a few of his top takeaways:

• Don't Overestimate Miles: "A 200-mile day on a BDR is a really long day. Things just happen out there. Slow it down and enjoy the sightseeing."

• Layer Your Gear: "Separate your armor from your outer shell. You'll be far more comfortable and can easily adapt to the huge temperature swings from morning to afternoon."

• ABF: Always Be Fueling: "Stay on the upper half of your tank. Remote fuel stops are notoriously unreliable; they can be closed or completely out of fuel when you arrive."

• Everyone Navigates: "Don't put the burden of navigation on one person. Everyone in the group needs to know the route and have the GPX files. What happens if the lead navigator's bike breaks down?"

Want a deeper dive? Watch the full conversation with Andrew here: What I Learned While Riding Backcountry Discovery Routes

The Destination: What True "BDR Ready" Feels Like

This BDR course is about more than just checking boxes. It’s about building a new level of confidence that stays with you on every ride thereafter.

It’s the quiet calm you feel when approaching a rocky ascent because you have a framework for assessing it. It's not stressing about your daily mileage because you've learned realistic planning. It’s setting up your camp efficiently as the sun sets, knowing your gear is dialed in, lightweight, and effective. It’s the feeling of total self-sufficiency.

That is what being truly “BDR Ready” feels like.

Your BDR Dream is Closer Than You Think

So, is there a shortcut to getting BDR ready?

Absolutely. It’s an immersive experience that provides the skills, practice, and confidence you need in a fraction of the time.

With the prime desert riding season of Fall and Winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to invest in your skills and prepare for your next big adventure. Stop putting your dream on hold.

Ready to start your journey? Learn more about the 5-Day Backcountry Training Expedition and sign up for our October Date. 1-hour consultation after you submit our form.